ACES Technology Activity Menu for the Creator Swamp (formerly room 1113)

Looking to integrate a technology rich activity into your instruction without biting off more than you can chew?  Below you will find a variety of "menu items" that we can work on together that might meet your needs.  All activities include a suggested time frame and suggested grade levels (nutritional information).  Are you looking for something not on the menu?  Let me know and we can create a custom activity!

​News Report-Video Editing

What better way for students to share what they learned than to write a news story about it.  Once they've written their story, students will select a background that fits it and use the green screen to report live from the event.
Suggested Grade Levels: PreK-5
Time Frame: Once news stories are written, 1-20 minute whole class lesson to go over the process followed by small group recording sessions.

Story Jumper

Don't we all want to be published authors?  StoryJumper can help us do it.  Students can write and publish their own ebooks (and print versions as well), or a class can work together to write one to share!
Suggested Grade Levels: PreK-5
Time Frame: Varies depending on the depth/scope of the project.  Probably 2-45 minute sessions for a class book, longer for individual books (provided the material is drafted/written in advance).

​Board Builder

Long gone are the days of gluing everything to a posterboard to share your learning.  Meet Board Builder, the Discovery Ed tool that allows students to share writing, pictures, videos, and more on their virtual poster.  
Suggested Grade Levels: 2-5
Time Frame: 2-30 minute lessons to learn Board Builder, time beyond that to finish boards based on the depth of the project.

​Toontastic

Create and animate your own cartoon.  Students will study story structure as they use the simple app to build a cartoon to tell a story they've written.
Suggested Grade Levels: 1-5
Time Frame: 3 or 4-45 minute lessons (not including writing their stories).

Read Your Writing

Do your students want to share their writing with others?  What better way to do that than to record readings and share them with others.  Once their writing piece is finished, we'll record them reading and upload them to a class YouTube channel or playlist.
Suggested Grade Levels: K-5
Time Frame: 1-20 minute whole class lesson to go over the process followed by small group recording sessions.

Green Screen Intro

You watch the news everyday, come see how we use green screen technology to make it work.
Suggested Grade Levels: PreK-5
Time Frame: 1-25 minute lesson

​Mystery Skype

What better way to study geography than by Skyping with a class from and unknown place and asking each other questions to find out where they are.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-5
Time Frame: We'll need to plan this 1-2 weeks in advance to set up the Sype details.  Each Mystery Skype should take 20-30 minutes.  Classes will need 1 15-20 minute introduction before the first event. 

CS First Coding

Writing computer code isn't just for computer geeks, it's a skill required in more jobs everyday.  Use a Google CS First Club to teach your kids about coding and how it used.  Topics include: 
Storytelling (4th Grade)
Fashion and Design
Art
Friends
Social Media
Sports
Music and Sound
Game Design
For more information, check out CS First
Suggested Grade Levels: mid 3-5
Time Frame: 8-1 hour sessions.  We will need at least 2 weeks notice to request (free) materials.

​Kahoot!

Want to check out a fun way to give a quick assessment?  We'll meet and set up a Kahoot quiz then I'll come to your room while you're using it to support you.
Suggested Grade Levels: PreK-5
Time Frame: 1-30 minute lesson

Google Classroom​

Have you wanted to use Google Docs and Slides with your students?  Are you looking for a way for them to submit work to you and collaborate with others electronically?  Google Classroom might be the right tool for you!
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-5
Time Frame: 3 or 4-45 minute introduction lessons where I will work with you to help get students used to logging in and try a number of activities.  

Discovery Ed Virtual Field Trip

Bring the world into your classroom with a virtual field trip.  Check out Discovery Education's calendar for upcoming live events or archived events to share with your class: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/Events/ For live or archived events I am happy to join and provide support as needed (including tweeting live with the presenters during live events).
Suggested Grade Levels: PreK-5 (depending on subject matter)
Time Frame: Varies depending on event, most are about 30 minutes

​iMovie

Make and edit your own movies, all using an iPad.  Students will record, edit, and share their videos using iMovie.
Suggested Grade Levels: 2-5
Time Frame: 2-30 minute lessons to learn how to use iMovie, the remainder will vary depending on how long projects are/what they need to record.